Free Christmas Gift!

Your time is truly a free gift you can give, and possibly one of the most valued. When you were a kid, did you ever make those 'gift certificates' for your parents, like "This (card, coupon, etc) is good for one day of taking out the trash (or doing the dishes, cleaning up your room without a hassle, etc)", or have you had your own kids do that? Why not do adult versions? Offer friends with little ones a night out to themselves and you'll watch their kids for free, or older family members a day when you come over and help with chores that might be difficult for them to do on their own. You might even be able to start a new tradition, exchanging some time with loved ones instead of exchanging presents.

School clothes on a tight budget

eBay and Craigslist are well known by now, but they're not the only places to find bargains on back to school clothing. There are a growing number of resale sites offering gently used clothes and many other items.

MyKidsCloset.com is a place to buy and sell kids and infant items. If you can't find what you're looking for, you can make a Wish List to be emailed when the item(s) are available.

If you're searching for name brand clothing at discount prices Once Worn... Not for Long could be just what you need. They carry brands including Gymboree, Children's Place, Guess, and more. The site also features Usborne books, toys, and gifts.

Cheap Kids Clothes boasts over 5000 items in categories including clothing, shoes, books, videos, and holiday. In addition to gently used they also carry new products at well below retail prices.

Taking the time to do some comparison shopping can definitely ease some strain on your back to school budget.

Family adventures on a budget

If the warmer weather is inspiring you to get outside but your budget isn't allowing theme park trips, get creative and make your own adventures. Don't just drag your kids along a nature trail in the park, take the camera and search for exotic animals on a safari. Take a picnic with you and add an extra bag for collecting plants and flowers (if allowed) to press at home for lasting memories. Or go out at night to star gaze and imagine you're on a distant island, rather than just stepping out into your own front yard to look up at the sky. You'll probably have a better view in a park anyway.